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is limited. Some discounts are not combinable.

River Cruise Itinerary

DAY 1: Nuremberg (Embark)

Arrive at Frankfurt Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be transferred to the ship.

DAY 2: Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Regensburg

Come out on deck or find a window seat where you can watch the ship navigate a series of locks as it travels through one of the modern world’s greatest feats of engineering—the Main-Danube canal. The Main-Danube canal is a masterwork of engineering: It allows ships of all shapes and sizes to cruise from the Black Sea all the way to the North Sea, through no fewer than 15 countries. Sixteen locks punctuate the 106-mile (160-kilometer) stretch between Kelheim and Bamberg, linking the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Building the canal was no small task, especially considering changes of altitude (each river is different); the locks gently lift and lower the ships an astonishing 1,332 feet (406 meters) over the continental divide. Efforts to connect the rivers began with Charlemagne in AD 793, but the present-day canal was only completed in 1992. Come up on deck and watch as your ship negotiates a set of locks on its way to Regensburg. Once you reach the beautiful UNESCO-designated city, you have a variety of ways to see a town that has been an international trading hub for 2,000 years.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

DAY 3: Straubing, Cruising the Danube River, Passau

You have two tantalizing excursions to experience today, including a walking tour and brewery visit in Straubing, plus a choice of adventures in Passau.

Featured Excursion:

Straubing walking discovery tour with brewery visit

Choice of Passau walking discovery tour or Passau city tour with Old Town walk or Exclusive guided “Let's Go” Bavarian river bicycle ride

DAY 4: Engelhartszell, cruising the Danube River

This may be the most leisurely day of your entire journey, as you spend it onboard, admiring the scenery, chatting with new friends and perhaps enjoying a massage in the spa. Your ship leaves Germany behind today, sailing into Austria and cruising through the Schlögener Schinge-a hairpin loop in the Danube that was once very hazardous for ships.

DAY 5: Spitz (Spitz or Melk), cruising the Wachau Valley

Your ship will dock in Spitz, midway through the glorious landscape, where you are faced with a difficult choice: Do you explore a charming riverbank village or visit one of the most beautiful libraries in the world? Later in the day, you’ll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian Mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape.

Featured Excursion:

Choice of Spitz village stroll with exclusive wine tasting or Melk Abbey with library visit

DAY 6: Vienna

A city tour will show you the architectural highlights of the Austrian capital as well as the legendary opera house in the heart of the city. Or, indulge your passion for art with visits to two distinctively different collections—a “cabinet of curiosities” collected by the Habsburgs and the Belvedere’s extraordinary cache of paintings by Klimt and other renowned artists. The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore.

Featured Excursion:

Choice of Vienna city tour with Vienna State Opera visit or Exclusive “Vienna, City of Arts” tour

DAY 7: Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has a distinctive character and allure all its own. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our exclusive walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West, old and new. Even its geography is made up of two parts—Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—divided by the Danube. Appropriately enough, you have your choice of two different ways to explore it today.

Featured Excursion:

Choice of Budapest city tour or Exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

DAY 8: Budapest (Disembark)

You’ve experienced the best of the Danube River, sampling myriad culinary delights and exploring fascinating stops along the way. Now your journey comes to a close (unless you’ve booked a Uniworld post-cruise tour of Budapest) and it’s time to disembark the ship. If your cruise includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your flight home. Your Uniworld adventure may be over, but we know you’ll enjoy the memories you’ve made for years to come.

Tour Map

All This Included

An extraordinary journey for aficionados of European history, music and art

Experience dynamic Budapest and imperial Vienna. Marvel at ravishing scenery as your luxurious ship glides through the Wachau Valley, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, into Germany and past charming Bavarian villages. Exclusive treasures are plentiful on this delightful journey. Go behind the scenes at a BMW factory to get an up-close view of Germany’s rich automotive heritage, and “Let's Go” with guided hiking and biking excursions along the Danube. This enchanting voyage provides a variety of ways to enjoy captivating destinations as well as plenty of time to relax onboard as you sail from Budapest to Nuremberg.

Who will enjoy this cruise/tour: Travelers who love history, music and architecture will be able to tailor their travel to their interests along the mighty Danube.

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The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.